B-108 Two In / Two Out Rule

Question 1

IDLH

Answer 1

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health atmosphere (IDLH). This includes, but is not limited to: interior structure fire, confined space, toxic or oxygen deficient environments, and environments with potential to become IDLH.

Question 2

Incipient Stage Fire

Answer 2

A fire that is in the initial or beginning stage and that can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipes or small hose systems.

Question 3

Interior Structural Fire Fighting

Answer 3

The physical activity of fire suppression, rescue, or both, inside of buildings or enclosed structures that are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage. These conditions involve an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere.

Question 4

RIT

Answer 4

Rapid Intervention Team consists of at least two personnel fully equipped with appropriate protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and specialized rescue equipment that might be needed for the specific operation underway.

Question 5

Standby Team

Answer 5

The crew available for rescue prior to assignment of a dedicated RIT, consisting of at least two personnel fully equipped with appropriate protective clothing, SCBA, and specialized rescue equipment that might be needed for the specific operation underway. This team may be engaged in secondary activities as described.

Question 6

Two In / Two Out

Answer 6

Regulation requiring a team of at least two personnel to be organized before entering an IDLH atmosphere. It requires a standby team of at least two personnel outside the IDLH atmosphere to back up the entry team in the event they require rapid rescue.

Question 7

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a set of compliance instructions regarding the number of firefighters required to be present on the fire ground prior to ____

Answer 7

commencing an initial interior attack on a structure fire.

Question 8

“Two In / Two Out”, requires a standby team of ____ to back up entry of ____ before the initial attack into an IDLH atmosphere. These personnel shall be

Answer 8

• at least two personnel
• two personnel
• fully equipped with appropriate protective clothing, SCBA, and any specialized rescue equipment that might be needed for the specific operation underway.

Question 9

Interior structural firefighting operations will not begin ____

Answer 9

until two firefighters are available outside the IDLH atmosphere to monitor the safety of the interior team and, if necessary, effect rescue.

Question 10

Interior team firefighters shall wear full PPE, including use of SCBA, and remain ____. Interior teams will remain in teams of ____ when in an IDLH atmosphere.

Answer 10

• in visual or voice (not radio) contact with one another at all times
• at least two firefighters

Question 11

The first interior team shall announce on the radio when they ____ and that an ____ has been established, unless ____.

Answer 11

• enter the structure
• outside/exterior team
• making an exception to the rule as outlined within these guidelines

Question 12

Outside/exterior team firefighters shall ____ and maintain ____ with the interior team(s).

Answer 12

• remain outside the IDLH atmosphere

* visual, voice or radio contact

Question 13

Anytime firefighters are engaging in interior structural firefighting (no matter the number of firefighters or apparatus on-scene) and a RIT has not yet been established, one of the outside/exterior team members must ____; this shall be ____

Answer 13

• monitor the safety of the interior teams

* these firefighter’s sole responsibility.

Question 14

Command will ensure that all firefighters operating with an IDLH atmosphere are ____. Command will further ensure that interior teams are ____

Answer 14

• wearing full PPE and are using SCBA

* in radio contact with Command and RIT (when established).

Question 15

Command will ensure that an outside/exterior team is present anytime members are engaging in interior structural firefighting (no matter the number of firefighters or apparatus on scene), if a ____

Answer 15

RIT has not yet been established.

Question 16

If an event occurs that endangers the interior firefighting personnel (flashover, collapse, etc.), attempt to ____ and follow ____

Answer 16

• contact the interior crews

* the procedures contained within the “Mayday” and “Rapid Intervention Crew Operations” standard operating procedures.

Question 17

Exceptions

Information that an immediate risk to life safety exists within the interior IDLH atmosphere. Probability of a rescue is made in accordance with ____. The Incident Commander or first arriving Company Officer shall evaluate the situation, considering ____. Entry may be considered if ____. This is a significant responsibility placed on the first Officer on scene.

Answer 17

• normal size-up indicators and fire ground evaluation factors. Examples include: report of persons inside, size-up signs indicate a probability of persons inside, etc
• the occupancy, time of day, day of week, reports from persons on the scene, signs that persons may be inside the structure, etc
• signs indicate a probable victim rescue situation
• Realistic expectations of successfully performing a rescue.

Question 18

Exceptions

If upon arrival at a fire emergency, members find a fire ____, extinguishment of such a fire shall be permitted with less than four persons on the scene. Extinguishment of ____, shall be permitted with less than four persons, even if SCBA is required.

Answer 18

• in its incipient stage

* outside fires such as dumpsters, brush, or automobiles

Question 19

Exceptions

If firefighters are going to initiate actions that would involve entering an IDLH atmosphere, because of a probable or imminent life-threatening situation where immediate action may prevent the loss of life or serious injury, and personnel are not on the scene to establish an initial rapid intervention team, the firefighters should ____. In all cases, ____.

Answer 19

• carefully evaluate the level of risk that they would be exposed to by taking such actions
• a minimum of two people shall form the entry team

Question 20

Exceptions

It is not always necessary to make an exception to the rule when there is imminent threat to human life. Depending on staffing levels and the number of firefighters on scene, Officers should ____ and still ____.

Answer 20

• strive to comply with the rule

* provide the best effort to save lives

Question 21

Exceptions

If an Officer decides to make an exception to the rule, ____ should be communicated to the firefighters on scene. In addition, the Officer shall announce ____ on the tactical fire ground communications channel so other responding companies are aware of the situation.

Answer 21

• the reason for the exception and the actions needed to prevent death or serious injury
• the exception to the rule

Question 22

Exceptions

The exception to the rule allows ____. The interior team must ____. It is also understood that this scenario should be ____

Answer 22

• an interior team to enter the IDLH atmosphere without an outside/exterior team
• still comply with the rules for interior team operations, such as wearing PPE and SCBA and remaining in contact
• temporary in nature.

Question 23

Exceptions

This high risk situation should be terminated as soon as ____ or can ____. Any Officer that arrives on scene with another Company making an exception to the rule should ____.

Answer 23

• the Officer can determine the hazard to human life no longer exists
• establish an outside/exterior team with arriving personnel
• place a high priority on establishing an outside/exterior team with personnel from the arriving Company.